DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final determination.

This final determination is effective December 9, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, requires DOE to prescribe test procedures and energy conservation standards for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps for which it has determined that standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this final determination, DOE determines that energy conservation standards for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps do not meet these criteria.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of data availability (NODA); withdrawal and republication.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NODA submitted no later than December 4, 2015. See section IV, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is withdrawing and republishing the Notice of Data Availability (NODA) published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2015 (80 FR 69888) due to errors in that published document. DOE is republishing this document in its entirety. DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for the commercial prerinse spray valve (CPSV) energy conservation standards rulemaking on July 9, 2015. In response to comments on the NOPR, DOE has revised its analyses. This NODA announces the availability of those updated analyses and results, and gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on these analyses and submit additional data. The NODA analysis is publicly available on the DOE Web site.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule; technical amendment.

This action is effective on November 12, 2015. However, the court order had legal effect immediately upon its filing on August 10, 2015. Compliance with the remaining standards from the June 2014 final rule that were not vacated by the court order continues to be required on June 5, 2017.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, requires the Department of Energy (DOE), among other things, to prescribe performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. On June 3, 2014, DOE complied with this requirement. Recent litigation regarding these standards resulted in a settlement agreement between DOE and the other parties to that litigation. Consistent with the parties' settlement agreement, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit subsequently vacated six specific standards set forth in the June 2014 rule. DOE is amending the CFR to reflect the court's order vacating the six standards found in DOE's regulations pertaining to certain refrigeration systems used in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer applications.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of data availability (NODA).

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NODA submitted no later than November 27, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for the commercial prerinse spray valve (CPSV) energy conservation standards rulemaking on July 9, 2015. 80 FR 39486. In response to comments on the NOPR, DOE has revised its analyses. This NODA announces the availability of those updated analyses and results, and give interested parties an opportunity to comment and submit additional data to support DOE's CPSV rulemaking. At this time, DOE is not proposing any energy conservation standard for commercial prerinse spray valves. The NODA analysis is publically available at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx?ruleid=100.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Reopening of public comment period.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information in response to the NOPR received no later than November 23, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On August 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) in the Federal Register regarding energy conservation standards for refrigerated beverage vending machines (BVM ECS NOPR). DOE also held a public meeting on September 29, 2015. The comment period was scheduled to end October 19, 2015. After receiving a request for additional time to prepare and submit comments, DOE has decided to reopen the comment period for submitting comments regarding the BVM ECS NOPR. The comment period is reopened through November 23, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is November 23, 2015. Compliance with the amended standards established for SPVACs and SPVHPs <65,000 Btu/h cooling capacity is required on September 23, 2019; for SPVACs and SPVHPs ≥65,000 and <135,000 Btu/h cooling capacity, compliance is required on October 9, 2015; and for SPVACs and SPVHPs ≥135,000 and <240,000 Btu/h cooling capacity, compliance is required on October 9, 2016.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including single package vertical air conditioner (SPVAC) and single package vertical heat pump (SPVHP) equipment (collectively referred to as single package vertical units or SPVUs). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards for SPVACs and SPVHPs would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting standards equivalent to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1-2013 levels for four SPVU equipment classes, and adopting amended energy conservation standards for two other equipment classes of single package vertical units more stringent than the SPVU standards in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013. DOE has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for this equipment are technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in the significant conservation of energy.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule; correction.

Effective Date: September 21, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On July 21, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy published a final rule amending energy conservation standards for packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps. 80 FR 43162. This correction addresses a table labeling error in that final rule.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of public meeting.

DOE will hold a public meeting on September 4, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in Washington, DC. DOE will continue to accept comments, data, and information on the August 6, 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) (80 FR 46870) before and after the public meeting, but no later than September 8, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On August 6, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed to reaffirm that the currently prescribed test procedure must be used when measuring the energy efficiency ratio, integrated energy efficiency ratio, and coefficient of performance for small, large, and very large air-cooled commercial unitary air conditioners (CUAC) and commercial unitary heat pumps (CUHP). DOE noted that it would hold a public meeting to discuss the proposal at the request of interested parties. DOE has since received such a request and is holding a public meeting on September 4, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Extension of public comment period.

The comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking for commercial prerinse spray valves, published on July 9, 2015 (80 FR 39486) is extended to September 22, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

This document announces an extension of the time period for submitting comments, data, and information concerning the notice of proposed rulemaking for commercial prerinse spray valves, published on July 9, 2015. The comment period is extended to September 22, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Proposed determination of coverage; withdrawal.

The proposed determination is withdrawn August 25, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) withdraws its August 13, 2013, notice of proposed determination that natural draft commercial packaged boilers meet the criteria for covered equipment under Part A-1 of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended. 78 FR 49202. DOE is taking this action after consideration of comments received in response to the notice of proposed determination and other relevant rulemakings that indicate a common and long-standing understanding from interested parties that natural draft commercial packaged boilers are and have been covered equipment under part A-1 of Title III of EPCA.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and announcement of public meeting.

DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting also will be broadcast as a webinar. See section VII of this NOPR, “Public Participation,” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR before and after the public meeting, but no later than October 19, 2015. See section VII of this NOPR, “Public Participation,” for details. Comments regarding the likely competitive impact of the proposed standard should be sent to the Department of Justice contact listed in the ADDRESSES section before September 18, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including refrigerated bottled or canned beverage vending machines (beverage vending machine). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to periodically determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this NOPR, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for Class A and Class B beverage vending machines. DOE is also proposing to amend the definition for Class A equipment to more clearly differentiate Class A and Class B equipment, as well as to amend the definition of combination vending machine. In addition, DOE proposes to establish definitions and new energy conservations standards for Combination A and Combination B classes of beverage vending machines. This NOPR also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results, and announces the availability of the NOPR technical support document (TSD).

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

DOE will hold a public meeting on this proposed test procedure if one is requested by August 13, 2015. If a public meeting is requested, DOE will announce its date and location on the DOE Web site and via email. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after any public meeting, but no later than September 8, 2015. See section V, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to reaffirm that the currently prescribed test procedure must be used when measuring the energy efficiency ratio, integrated energy efficiency ratio, and coefficient of performance for small, large, and very large air-cooled commercial unitary air conditioners (CUAC) and commercial unitary heat pumps (CUHP). With this test procedure rulemaking, DOE fulfills its obligation under EPCA to review its test procedures for covered equipment at least once every seven years and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a determination in the Federal Register not to amend them. The proposed amendments would limit the incorporation by reference of the industry test procedure AHRI Standard 340/360-2007, “2007 Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment” to certain sections and addenda; specify requirements for indoor airflow tolerance and adjustment to meet other rating conditions; clarify requirements for condenser head pressure controls; clarify units of measurement for airflow; and establish a tolerance on part-load rating points. DOE also proposes to amend the certification, compliance, and enforcement provisions for CUACs and CUHPs to specify additional reporting requirements for indoor airflow and add enforcement provisions for verifying the rated cooling capacity, as the rated cooling capacity determines which class of equipment the product belongs to and also determines certain testing conditions.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is August 31, 2015. Compliance with Appendix A to subpart Q of 10 CFR part 431 will be mandatory for representations made on or after January 27, 2016. Compliance with Appendix B to subpart Q of 10 CFR part 431 will be mandatory for representations made on or after the compliance date of any amended energy conservation standards. (Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0022). DOE will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the compliance date for Appendix B to subpart Q of 10 CFR part 431. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 31, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On August 11, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedure for refrigerated bottled or canned beverage vending machines (beverage vending machines or BVMs). That proposed rulemaking serves as the basis for the final rule. In this final rule, DOE is reorganizing its test procedure for beverage vending machines into an Appendix A, which will be mandatory for equipment testing beginning 180 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register, and an Appendix B, which will be mandatory for equipment testing to demonstrate compliance with any amended energy conservation standards arising out of DOE's ongoing BVM energy conservation standards rulemaking. Specifically, Appendix A includes amendments that update the referenced test method to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 32.1-2010, eliminate the requirement to test at the 90 °F ambient test condition, establish a provision for testing at the lowest application product temperature, and adopt several amendments and clarifications to the DOE test procedure to improve the repeatability and remove ambiguity from the current BVM test procedure, as established by DOE in the 2006 BVM test procedure final rule. Appendix B contains all the amendments included in Appendix A and, in addition, incorporates provisions to account for the impact of low power modes on measured daily energy consumption (DEC). Finally, DOE is adopting in this final rule several clarifications regarding the certification and reporting requirements for beverage vending machines.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Publication of determination.

Date of DOJ determination—November 25, 2013.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) make a determination on the impact, if any, on the lessening of competition likely to result from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed rule for energy conservation standards and that DOE publish the determination in the Federal Register . DOE published its final rule for energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment on March 28, 2014, and is publishing DOJ's November 25, 2013 determination on such proposed rule.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is September 21, 2015. Compliance with the amended standards established for standard-sized PTACs in this final rule is required on January 1, 2017.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP) equipment. EPCA requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards for PTACs and PTHPs would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for PTACs equivalent to the PTAC standards in American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1-2013. DOE is not amending the current energy conservation standards for PTHPs, which are already equivalent to the PTHP standards in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013. DOE has determined that adoption of PTAC and PTHP standards more stringent than ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013 is not economically justified.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is September 15, 2015. Compliance with the amended standards established for water-source heat pumps and commercial oil-fired storage water heaters in this final rule is required on and after October 9, 2015. Compliance with the amended standards established for small three-phase commercial air-cooled air conditioners (single package only) and heat pumps (single package and split system) less than 65,000 Btu/h in this final rule is required on and after January 1, 2017. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 15, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its energy conservation standards for small three-phase commercial air-cooled air conditioners (single package only) and heat pumps (single package and split system) less than 65,000 Btu/h; water-source heat pumps; and commercial oil-fired storage water heaters. Pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, DOE must assess whether the uniform national standards for these covered equipment need to be updated each time the corresponding industry standard—the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1 (ASHRAE Standard 90.1)—is amended, which most recently occurred on October 9, 2013. Under EPCA, DOE may only adopt more stringent standards if there is clear and convincing evidence showing that more stringent amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant additional amount of energy. The levels DOE is adopting are the same as the efficiency levels specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013. DOE has determined that the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 efficiency levels for the equipment types listed above are more stringent than existing Federal energy conservation standards and will result in economic and energy savings compared existing energy conservation standards. Furthermore, DOE has concluded that clear and convincing evidence does not exist that would justify more-stringent standard levels than the efficiency levels in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 for any of the equipment classes. DOE has also determined that the standards for small three-phase commercial air-cooled air conditioners (split system) do not need to be amended. DOE is also updating the current Federal test procedure for commercial warm-air furnaces to incorporate by reference the most current version of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z21.47, Gas-fired central furnaces, specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1, and the most current version of ASHRAE 103, Method of Testing for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central Furnaces and Boilers.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and announcement of public meeting.

Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. The standards meeting will start immediately following the test procedure meeting. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section VII “Public Participation” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR before and after the public meeting, but no later than September 8, 2015. See section VII “Public Participation” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including commercial prerinse spray valves (CPSVs). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this notice, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for commercial prerinse spray valves. The notice also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Reopening of public comment period.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking no later than August 17, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On May 8, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register (80 FR 26475) a Request for Information (RFI) that requests information regarding potential energy efficiency standards for pool pumps established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. DOE published the RFI to solicit information to help DOE determine the feasibility of developing energy conservation standards and an appropriate test procedure for this equipment. The RFI outlines the potential scope that could be involved in regulating dedicated-purpose pool pumps, possible industry-based testing methods that could be used to evaluate the efficiency of this equipment, and the types of information that would be needed in analyzing the potential for setting standards for this equipment. It also solicits the public for information to help inform DOE's efforts in evaluating the prospect of regulating this equipment. The comment period for the RFI pertaining to the subject dedicated-purpose pool pumps was scheduled to end June 22, 2015. After receiving a request for additional time to comment, DOE has decided to reopen the comment period for the RFI pertaining to the potential energy efficiency standards for pool pumps until August 17, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is July 30, 2015. The final rule changes will be mandatory for representations starting June 24, 2016. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 30, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On March 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedures for packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). That NOPR serves as the basis for this final rule regarding the test method for PTACs and PTHPs. The amendments adopted here do not affect measured energy use. These changes incorporate by reference certain sections of the latest versions of industry test procedures AHRI Standard 310/380-2014, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 16-1983 (RA 2014), ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 37-2009, and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 58-1986 (RA 2014), and specify additional testing provisions that must be followed including an optional break-in period, require that cooling capacity tests be conducted using electricity measuring instruments accurate to +/− 0.5% of reading, explicitly require that wall sleeves be sealed, allow for the pre-filling of the condensate drain pan, and require testing with 14-inch deep wall sleeves and the filter option most representative of a typical installation.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public meeting.

DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section V, “Public Participation,” for instructions and information concerning meeting attendance and webinar participation. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this proposed rulemaking before and after the public meeting, but no later than September 8, 2015. See section V, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend the test procedures for commercial prerinse spray valves to consider the latest version of the industry standard that is incorporated by reference and to consider a procedure for measuring the spray force. DOE also proposes to revise the definition of commercial prerinse spray valve and the current test procedure as they relate to various spray valves currently on the market, including those with multiple spray patterns. DOE does not believe the proposed changes will affect the measured water use. As part of this proposal, DOE is announcing a public meeting to collect comments and data on its proposal.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Reopening of the public comment period and announcement of public meeting.

Comments: The comment period for the NOPR for the Conversion Factor for Test Procedures for Consumer and Certain Commercial Water Heaters published on April 14, 2015 (80 FR 20116), is reopened. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR before and after the public meeting, but no later than June 15, 2015. Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar.

10 CFR Parts 429, 430, and 431

Summary

On April 14, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that proposes mathematical conversion factors for converting from the current efficiency metrics ( i.e., energy factor for residential water heaters, and thermal efficiency and standby loss for commercial water heaters) to the uniform efficiency descriptor ( i.e., uniform energy factor metric). The comment period for the NOPR pertaining to the test procedures for water heaters was scheduled to end May 14, 2015. After receiving a request for additional time to comment for stakeholders, DOE is reopening the comment period for the NOPR for the Conversion Factor for Test Procedures for Consumer and Certain Commercial Water Heaters to June 15, 2015. Additionally, at the request of stakeholders, DOE is announcing a public meeting to discuss the conversion factors for consumer and commercial water heaters.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of open meetings.

See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

DOE announces a series of meetings of the Fans and Blowers Working Group. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that agencies publish notice of an advisory committee meeting in the Federal Register .

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Request for information (RFI).

Written comments and information are requested on or before June 22, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is requesting information to inform a potential rulemaking to consider new energy conservation standards for dedicated-purpose pool pumps. Pumps, which are already covered equipment under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (EPCA), come in a variety of forms—including dedicated-purpose pool pumps. This RFI seeks to solicit information to help DOE determine the feasibility of developing energy conservation standards and an appropriate test procedure for this equipment. This RFI outlines the potential scope that could be involved in regulating dedicated-purpose pool pumps, possible industry-based testing methods that could be used to evaluate the efficiency of this equipment, and the types of information that would be needed in analyzing the potential for setting standards for this equipment. This RFI also solicits the public for information to help inform DOE's efforts in evaluating the prospect of regulating this equipment.

2015-05-07; vol. 80 # 88 - Thursday, May 7, 2015

80 FR 26199 - Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Commercial Warm Air Furnaces Working Group: Notice of Open Meetings and Webinar

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of open meetings and webinars.

See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

This document announces a series of meetings of the Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Commercial Warm Air Furnaces Working Group (CAUC CWAF Working Group). The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that agencies publish notice of an advisory committee meeting in the Federal Register .

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of Data Availability.

Information is available as of May 1, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has completed a provisional analysis of the potential economic impacts and energy savings that could result from promulgating an energy conservation standard for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. This analysis incorporates information and comments received after the completion of an analysis presented in a notice of data availability (NODA) published in December 2014. At this time, DOE is not proposing an energy conservation standard for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. This analysis may be used in support of the Appliance Standards Federal Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ASRAC) commercial and industrial fans working group negotiations to develop a recommendation for regulating commercial and industrial fans. DOE encourages stakeholders to provide any additional data or information that may improve the analysis and to present comments submitted to this NODA and to the NODA published in December 2014 to the working group.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and public meeting; correction.

April 24, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On April 2, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and public meeting for Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps. This document corrects the terms in one of the equations.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting; correction.

April 24, 2015.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

On April 1, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting for Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Pumps. This document corrects terms in four equations.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) no later than May 14, 2015. See section V, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429, 430, and 431

Summary

As required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish a mathematical conversion factor for the purpose of translating efficiency ratings for water heaters under the test method currently in effect to the ratings under the amended test method promulgated by DOE in a final rule published on July 11, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the “the July 2014 final rule”). Compliance with the amended test procedure is required beginning on the later of: one year after the publication of a final rule that establishes a mathematical conversion factor, or December 31, 2015. This rulemaking document proposes a mathematical conversion factor which may be used to convert the existing efficiency ratings under the current Federal test procedure to efficiency ratings under the test procedure adopted in the July 2014 final rule for water heater basic models manufactured, tested and certified prior to the compliance date of the amended test procedure. The amended test procedure applies to all covered consumer water heaters and the covered commercial water heating equipment with residential applications defined in the July 2014 final rule as a “residential-duty commercial water heater.” In addition, this document proposes amendments to the minimum energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters and residential-duty commercial water heaters to account for the impact of the new metric, but does not alter the stringency of the existing energy conservation standards. While DOE has not planned a public meeting to discuss this proposal, DOE is willing to consider a request to hold a meeting.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and public meeting.

Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section VIII Public Participation for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after the public meeting, but no later than June 1, 2015. See section VIII Public Participation for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part C of Title III, which for editorial reasons was re-designated as Part A-1 upon incorporation into the U.S. Code, establishes the “Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment.” The covered equipment includes pumps. In this document, DOE proposes to establish new energy conservation standards for pumps and announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of intent and announcement of a public meeting.

Written comments and request to be appointed as members of the CUAC and CWAF Working Group, including an application package, are welcome and should be submitted by April 15, 2015. DOE will hold the first meeting for the CUAC and CWAF Working Group on Tuesday, April, 28, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section V Public Participation for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is giving notice that it intends to establish a negotiated rulemaking working group under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate regarding energy conservation standards for small, large, and very large, air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps as well as commercial warm air furnaces. The purpose of the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus regarding the development of energy conservation standards for small, large, and very large, air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps as well as commercial warm air furnaces, as authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as amended. The working group will consist of representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the energy conservation standards, and will consult as appropriate with a range of experts on technical issues. The working group is expected to negotiate a final term sheet regarding energy conservation standards for the aforementioned equipment by Monday, June 15, 2015. The final term sheet will be presented to ASRAC at an open meeting for their deliberation and decision on whether to pass it on as a formal recommendation to DOE.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting.

DOE will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section IV.M, “Public Participation,” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR before and after the public meeting, but no later than June 15, 2015. See section IV.M, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish a new test procedure for pumps. Specifically, DOE is proposing a test method for measuring the hydraulic power, shaft power, and electric input power of pumps, inclusive of electric motors and any continuous or non-continuous controls. The proposal, if adopted, would incorporate by reference the test procedure from the Hydraulic Institute (HI)—Standard 40.6-2014, “Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing.” The proposed test procedure would be used to determine the constant load pump energy index (PEI CL ) for pumps sold without continuous or non-continuous controls or the variable load pump energy index (PEI VL ) for pumps sold with continuous or non-continuous controls. The PEI CL and PEI VL describe the power consumption of the rated pump, inclusive of an electric motor and, if applicable, any integrated continuous or non-continuous controls, normalized with respect to the performance of a minimally compliant pump for each pump basic model. The proposal reflects certain recommendations made by a stakeholder Working Group for pumps established under the Appliance Standards Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC). DOE is also announcing a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues presented in this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR).

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Request for information (RFI).

Written comments and information are requested on or before May 11, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating an effort to determine whether to amend the current energy conservation standards for residential clothes dryers. According to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act's 6-year review requirement, DOE must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to propose amended standards for residential clothes dryers or a notice of determination that the existing standards do not need to be amended by August 24, 2017. This notice seeks to solicit information from the public to help DOE determine whether amended standards for residential clothes dryers would result in a significant amount of additional energy savings and whether those standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule; correction.

This correction is effective March 6, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On June 3, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule adopting conservation standards for some classes of walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer components. The final rule was published with typographical errors to some of the reported values. DOE is providing corrections to address these errors. Neither the errors nor the corrections in this document affect the substance of the rulemaking or any of the conclusions reached in support of the final rule.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule; technical correction.

Effective: March 5, 2015. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 16, 2012.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On May 16, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule in the Federal Register that amended the energy conservation standards and test procedures for certain commercial heating, air-conditioning, and water-heating equipment. Due to a drafting error, there was a typographical error ( i.e., an incorrect symbol) for one equipment class of computer room air conditioners in a table to the applicable test procedure provision. This final rule rectifies this error.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Publication of determination.

February 24, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) make a determination on the impact, if any, on the lessening of competition likely to result from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed rule for energy conservation standards and that DOE publish the determination in the Federal Register . DOE published its final rule for energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers on June 3, 2014, and is today publishing DOJ's determination on such proposed rule.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Reopening of public comment period.

DOE will accept comments, data, and information in response to the Joint Comment received no later than March 6, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On October 21, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of proposed determination (NOPD) regarding energy conservation standards for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps in the Federal Register . This notice tentatively determined that potential standards for three subcategories of HID lamps are either not technologically feasible or not economically justified. On December 22, 2014, DOE received a joint comment from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (Joint Comment), opposing DOE's proposed determination. This document announces a reopening of the public comment period for submitting comments and data in response to the Joint Comment. The comment period is extended to March 6, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting.

Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after the public meeting, but no later than April 6, 2015. See section VII, “Public Participation,” for details. Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 2, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section VII, “Public Participation,” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including commercial warm air furnaces (CWAF). EPCA also requires that every six years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must consider amending its standards for specified types of commercial heating, air-conditioning, and water-heating equipment in order to determine whether more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant additional amount of energy. DOE has tentatively concluded that there is sufficient record evidence to support more-stringent standards, so DOE is proposing to amend the current energy conservation standards for CWAF. DOE also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Final rule.

The effective date of this rule is March 30, 2015. Compliance with the amended standards established for automatic commercial ice makers in this final rule is required on January 28, 2018.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including automatic commercial icemakers (ACIM). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting more-stringent energy conservation standards for some classes of automatic commercial ice makers as well as establishing energy conservation standards for other classes of automatic commercial ice makers. It has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Publication of determination.

January 13, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) make a determination on the impact, if any, on the lessening of competition likely to result from a U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) proposed rule for energy conservation standards and that DOE publish the determination in the Federal Register . DOE published its final rule for energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers on December 15, 2014, and is publishing the determination that DOJ made on the proposed rule.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Extension of public comment period.

The comment period for the notice of data availability relating to commercial and industrial fan and blower equipment is extended to February 25, 2015.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

On December 10, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of data availability (NODA) which presented a provisional analysis that estimates the potential economic impacts and energy savings that could result from promulgating a regulatory energy conservation standard for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. DOE did not propose any energy conservation standard for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. However, DOE published its analysis and the underlying assumptions and calculations, which may ultimately support a proposed standard, for stakeholder review. In response to requests by stakeholders, the comment period for the NODA is being extended to February 25, 2015.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and announcement of public meeting.

Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Washington, DC. The meeting will also be broadcast as a webinar. See section X, “Public Participation,” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. Comments: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before and after the public meeting, but no later than March 24, 2015. See section X, “Public Participation,” for details.

10 CFR Part 431

Summary

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including several classes of commercial heating, air-conditioning, and water-heating equipment. EPCA also requires that each time the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 is amended with respect to the standard levels or design requirements applicable to that equipment, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must adopt amended uniform national standards for this equipment equivalent to those in ASHRAE Standard 90.1, unless DOE determines that there is clear and convincing evidence showing that more-stringent, amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant additional amount of energy. ASHRAE most recently amended Standard 90.1 on October 9, 2013. Based upon its analysis of the energy savings potential of amended energy conservation standards and the lack of clear and convincing evidence to support more-stringent standards, DOE is proposing to adopt the amended standards in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for: Small three-phase commercial air-cooled air conditioners (single package only) and heat pumps (single package and split system) less than 65,000 Btu/h; water-source heat pumps; and commercial oil-fired storage water heaters. DOE is also making a proposed determination that the standards for small three-phase commercial air-cooled air conditioners (split system) do not need to be amended. Finally, DOE is proposing updates to the current Federal test procedures to incorporate by reference the most current version of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z21.47, Gas-fired central furnaces, specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 applicable to commercial warm-air furnaces, and to the most current version of ASHRAE 103, Method of Testing for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of Residential Central Furnaces and Boilers. This document also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results, as well as the proposed test procedure provisions.